Helena weekly herald., 1887-11-17

ing across the scaffold, Spies looked calm
and glanced at the reporters with trace
OF his old time cynical smile. He walked
firmly over the drop, guided by the grasp
OF the deputy to the furtherest edge Of the
gallows.
Following close came Fischer. whose
countenance had peculiar glisten. totally
unlike the ashiness of Engel's heavy fea-
lures and IN strange contrast with the dead
lack of color in the pinched liniaments of
Parsons. The once jaunty, vivacious Texan
came last, withered old man. He had
aged twenty years since the day and hour
scarcely twelve months before, when he
trlpped lightly into court before Judge
Gary and tiippantly declared that he was
ready to be tried at once for his life
The minute his feet touched the scaffold
Parsons seemed to completely lose his
identity, and to feel that his spirit was no
longer part of his body. He had brought
himself to an ecstacy of solemn self-glori-
fcation. The only American, he seemed
to realize that he must die in a
manner to impress, if possible, on all fu-
ture generations the thought that he was a
martyr. No tragedian that has paced the
stage in America ever made more mar
velous presentation of his self-chosen part.
1t was perfect in every detail. In the up
ward turn of his eyes. His distant, far
away look, and above all the attitude of
| apparent complete resignation that every
fold of the awkward shroud only served to
make more distinct, was by far the most
striking feature of the entire gallows pic
| ture.
The squat form of Engel alongside, with
stupid, wide jawed face, made hideous
contrast to Parsons's assumption of halo
of a martyr. Fischer was head and
shoulders taller than the othe- three. max
ing his only occasional looks Of too evident
bravado more noticeable than might other
wise be, and a sorry disadvantage COM
pared with the steady GOODNESS of Spies.
The latter's exhibition of quiet, thorough
nerve, far surpassed, as a wonder, the de-
meanor of any of his comrades.
Four burly deputies, standing to the
rear of the four condemned men, began
without delay to adjust the ropes, Spies
moose being the one first placed. He didn't
appear to regard it as of any more conse-
quence than new linen collar. The knot
was slipped down the cord close to his
neck. Spies did not show tremOr, but
when the same process was being carried
out with Fischer he turned and quietly
whispered to the bailiff some suggestion
concerning the rope.
A crash as of a falling house thundered
through the corridors and the slender ropes
were taught in the full view of 200 men. In
front were white, writhing shrouds. The
ropes could be seen slowly Tightening about
their necks that between the cap and shroud
could be noticed blackening and purpling.
Nine mortal minutes passed and then it
was known to certainty that all were
dead
At 1908 there was no pulse perceptlble
in any of the men. The coffins were then
carried in. The last words o6 the four
dead anarchists were as follows
Spies-"There will come time when
our silence will be more powerful than the
voices they are straDgling to death now"
Engel-"Hurrah for anarchy"
Fischer-"Hurrah for anarchy; this is
the happiest moment of my life"
Parsons-"May be allowed to speak
Will you let me speak, Sherstf Matson?
Let the voice of the people be heard"
All of the anarchists died of strangula-
ton; none of their necks were broken.
CHICAGO, November 11.-Reporters
were admitted into the cell rooms to view
the execution at 1854. Fully twenty-five
newspaper men, local politicians and others,
among them the Jurors, who were to view
the bodies after they had passed
beyond the gallows, began seating
themselves. The bailiffs said few words
to the journalists begging them to make
no rush when the drop fell, but to wait
decently and in order.